Two-speed camera for flash photography



April 20, 1965 N. N. LAREAU ETAL Re. 25,766

TWO-SPEED CAMERA FOR FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec.

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NORMA/V N. LAREAU RICHARD J OLSON INVENTORS ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice Re. 25,766 Reissued Apr. 20, 1965 15 Ciaims.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates generally to cameras, and more specifically to an improved two-speed camera for daylight and flash photography.

It is broadly old in the camera art to have a hinged part of the camera actuate a switch in the flash circuit to break and/ or complete the circuit as the hinged part is moved between operative and inoperative positions. A camera of this general type is disclosed in British Patent 752,772. One of the disadvantages of this camera is that the flash circuit is always closed when the camera is perated to make an exposure, and hence any flash lamp contained therein will flash upon operation of the camera. Furthermore, in cameras of this type, the operator must manually change the shutter speed depending upon whether a daylight or flash exposure is to be made.

In the improved camera construction according to this invention, the flash reflector is provided with a hinged flash reflector door which, when moved into a closed position, opens the flash circuit so that a flash bulb may be stored in the reflector while the operator is making daylight exposures without causing the bulb to flash. On the other hand, when the door is opened, the flash circuit is closed and the lamp will flash when the operator makes an exposure. Furthermore, the door in moving between its open and closed positions automatically changes the shutter speed for the type of exposure being made. For daylight exposures, a shutter speed of, say, second is desired, and for flash exposures, a slower speed, whichmay approximate ,4 second, is required. The higher speed minimizes the number of blurred pictures due to camera movement as the exposure is being made and the slower speed permits the use of flash photography with out the need of complicated and expensive synchronizing mechanism which is necessary to accommodate a high shutter speed.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an improved camera having a flash reflector door operable, upon movement between operative and inoperative positions, to automatically close and open a switch in the flash circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved camera having means movable between operative and inoperative positions for automatically changing the shutter speed as the camera is adjusted for flash or non flash operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved camera in which the shutter speed is automatically changed between two values, simultaneously with the opening and closing of a switch in the flash circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved camera having a door adapted to protect the flash reflector and any flash lamp mounted therein while daylight exposures are being made.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved camera in which a flash bulb may be stored in the reflector with the reflector door closed without firing the bulb While taking daylight exposures.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved camera in which the insertion of a flash bulb into the reflector unit automatically changes the shutter speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved camera of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The above and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a segmental top plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention in a camera showing the reflector door in an open position, and a switch in the flash circuit in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the reflector door in a closed position, and the switch in the flash circuit in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a segmental front elevation view of the camera of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a segmental front elevation view of the camera of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged segmental view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a segmental section view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the electrical wiring diagram of the flash circuit of the camera with the portions thereof shown diagrammatically;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another modification of the invention in which the shutter speed is responsive to the insertion or removal of a flash bulb;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the camera with the flash bulb removed therefrom;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the camera of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the camera of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a view showing the electrical wiring diagram 'of the flash circuit of the camera shown in FIGS. 8-11 with portions thereof shown diagrammatically.

As shown in the drawings, this invention is embodied in a box-type camera 13 having a pivotal shutter blade 14 biased by a spring, not shown, into engagement with a stop 15. The shutter blade 14 has an arm 16 at one end adapted to be struck by a lever 17 as seen in FIG. 5 which imparts a clockwise swinging movement to shutter blade 14 against the bias of a spring, 'not shown, to make an exposure of a predetermined duration. The mechauism for striking shutter blade 14 may be of any known type, and since it does not form a part of the invention, it has not been shown or described in detail. In a pivotal, single blade shutter of this type, by properly designing striking lever 17 so that it will impart a striking force of a predetermined value, and properly designing the weight of blade 14 and the force of the shutter spring, it is possible to obtain a relative long exposure (slow shutter speed) of, say, second duration when the blade is permitted to travel freely without imposing any stop member in its path. If, on the other hand, a stop member is interposed in the path of shutter blade 14 preventing the blade from completing its full travel, a relatively short exposure (faster shutter speed) is achieved. By properly positioning the stop member, it is possible to achieve a shutter speed of, say, second duration. As indicated earlier, the shutter speed of second duration minimizes the number of blurred pictures due to camera movement as the exposure is being made, and the shutter speed of second permits the use of flash photography without the need of a complicated and expensates 3 live synchronizing mechanism. These speeds are of :ourse given merely by way of illustration.

The box camera 13 has a flash reflector 18 of any suitible type built into the body thereof, and a pair of bater es -19 seen dotted in H68. 2 and 4 connected in series ii the normal manner is mounted in camera 13 to the ear of flash reflector 18. A contact arm 26 of irregular :hape as seen best in FIGS. 2, 4 and has one end coniected to an electrode of one of the batteries 19, and its tpposite end mounted on a post 21 about which shutter lade .14 pivots and interposed between the plastic camera vall 22 and a shoulder 23 formed by post 21 as seen in *IG. 6. Another contact arm 24 as seen in FIG. 2 has the end connected to an electrode of the other battery .9, and has a depending arm 25 at its other end extendrig behind a socket -25 of flash reflector 18 for engageent with one of the electrodes of a flash lamp 12, shown lia'grar'ri'rflati'czllly in FIG. 7, upon insertion of lamp 12 nit; socket 26. Another contact arm 27 of irregular h'ape as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 is secured intermediate its :nds'to a plastic shoulder 28 of camera 13 by means of :ap screws 29 or the like. Gne end 39 of arm 27 exendsbehind the flash reflector socket as for engagement vlth the other electrode of flash lamp 12, and the oppoite spring blade end 31 is biased into engagement with .vrib end of a plunger 32 reciprocally carried by front Wall 52 of camera 13 as seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2. The )lunger 32 has an arm 33 secured thereto as seen best in ?IG. 5 having a lip 34 at its free end movable into a lot 35 formed by front wall 22 of camera 13. When lip 54 is seated in slot 35; seen in FIG. 1, it is out of the :ath of shutter blade 14, but when it extends out of slot $55, as senin FIG. 2, lip 34 provides a stop member for :nutt'er blade 14 for achieving a shutter speed of sec- Hid duration. Another contact arm 36 as seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2 is secured by a screw 37 to a plastic housng 38 of camera 13, and has a beveled end 39 thereof :xtending into an opening 4% in the upper portion of butter blade 14 and out of contact therewith. The shuter blade 14 and end 39 form a switch 45, shown diagramnatically in FIG. 7, and upon operation of camera 13 to nake an exposure, shutter blade 14 as it swings in its ravel engages the beveled end 39 of contact arm 36 closng switch 45. The contact arm 36 further has a flexible Jortion 41 whose beveled end 42 extends into the path oi 1 lug 43 formed by the end of contact arm 31, the porion 41 and lug 43 forming a switch 44, shown diagramnatically in FIG. 7, in the flash circuit of camera 13. the camera 13 further has *1 (100g 45 h i one gdgg hereof pivotallv a. -ncircles shaft 47 and 15 mounted to urge the camera door into its open position, as seen in FiG. l. The camera 13 is further provided with a latch mechanism, not shown, for releasably holding door 4a in a closed posh ion. One end of plunger 32 extends completely through front wall 22 of camera 13 to form a button 49 which is adapted to be engaged and depressed by door 46 as it is moved into its closed position, as seen in FIG. 2.

in the operation of this invention, when flash reflector door 46 is closed, as seen in FIG. 2, plunger 32 is depressed, urging lug 43 out of engagement with blade end fl'fl thereby opening switch 44 in the flash lamp circuit, and further interposing lip 34 in the path of shutter blade 14. Consequently, as long as flash reflector door 46 is closed, all of the exposures will be of second duration, and the flash circuit will be broken so that a flash lamp may be positioned in socket 26 of flash reflector 18 Without any risk of actuating or firing it so long as the door is in closed position. Should the operator desire to take a flash picture, he merely releases flash reflector door 46 which is urged by its spring 48 into the open position,

- mounted on a shaft 47. A torsion spring 4 the flash circuit. In this position, upon operation of camera 13 shutter blade 14 will complete its full travel to achieve an exposure of /4 second duration, and as soon as shutter blade 14 engages the end 39 of Contact arm 36, thereby closing switch 45 the flash circuit including flash lamp 12 is completed.

In the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 8-10, parts similar or identical to previously described parts will be indicated by the same number primed. In this modification, the arm 33 and lip 34 have been climinated, and the change in shutter speed is achieved by insertion of a flash lamp 12' into socket 2d of flash reflector 18'. A lever 50 has one end thereof pivotally mounted on a stud 51 of camera 13, and is urged by a spring 52 in a clockwise direction. When flash reflector door 46 is opened and flash lamp 12 is inserted into socket 26 of flash reflector 18, as seen in FIG. 8, a portion 53 thereof engages lever 50 and urges it in a counterclockwise direction against the bias of its spring 52 withdrawing its free end 54 out of the path of shutter blade 14. Consequently, when the camera 13 is operated to rnalte a flash exposure, shutter blade 14' will complete its full travel achieving an exposure of ,4 second duration. When flash lamp 12 is removed from reflector socket 25', spring 52 urges lever St? in a clockwise direction moving its free end 54 into engagement with front wall 22' of camera 13'. In this position, free end 54 is interposed in the path of shutter blade 14' and forms a stop therefor as seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, and is properly positioned to achieve an exposure of second duration.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can as seen in PEG. 1. The spring blade end 31 then urges plunger 32 outwardly, urging lip 34 into slot 35 and out of the path of shutter blade 14, and further rnoyes lug 43 into engagement with blade end 42 closmg switch 44 of be effected Within the spirit and scope of the invention, as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a flash camera, the combination comprising:

(a) a shutter mechanism including a part which moves when the shutter operates to make an exposure and the extent of movement of which part deter i h exposure speed of said shutter mechanism;

(b) flash means for said camera movable between an operative position for illuminating the subject upon making an exposure, and an inoperative position for preventing illumination of the subject upon making an exposure; i I

(c) control means movable between two pos tions into and out of engagement with said movable part or said shutter mechanism to achieve shutter speeds oi two different durations; and 1 (d) means interconnecting said control and flash means for moving said control means into one of said two positions in response to movement of said flash means from one of its positions to the other. I

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said movable part of said shutter mechanism comprises a pivotal shutter blade, and said control means COITlPllSQ: a stop member adapted to be inserted nto the path 01. said shutter blade in one of said two positions.

3. The invention according to claim whereinsard flash means comprises a flash reflector unit for receiving a flash lamp, and a flash reflector door movable octrvee: an open position exposing said flash reflector and a c ose position covering said reflector, and sa1d control means is movable to one of said two positions by said door upon movement of said door to its closed position.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said movable part of said shutter mechanism comprises a PW- otal shutter blade, and said control means comprises a recinrocally movable element having a stop mem er adapted to be inserted in the path of said shutter blade in one o two ositions. g. The invention according to claim whereinsaid flash means comprises a flash reflector unit tor receiving a flash lamp insertable therein, and said control means is movable to one of said two positions by said flash lamp upon insertion thereof in said flash reflector unit.

6. The invention according to claim wherein said movable part of said shutter mechanism comprises a pivotal shutter blade, and said control means comprises a pivotal lever having a stop member adapted to be inserted in the path of said shutter blade in one of said two positions.

7. In a camera having a shutter mechanism, a flash reflector unit, and a flash circuit including a switch associated therewith for firing a flash lamp inserted in said reflector unit, the combination comprising: a flash reflector door movable between an open position exposing said flash reflector and a closed position covering said reflector; actuating means movable between a normal first position in which said flash circuit switch is closed to facilitate firing a flash lamp for taking flash exposures, and a second position in which said switch is opened and said circuit disabled; means interconnecting said actuating means with said shutter to provide a longer exposure when said actuating means is in said first position than when in said second position; and means interconnecting said door and said actuating means to insure that said actuating means is in said first position when said door is in its open position.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said shutter mechanism comprises a pivotal shutter blade, said actuating means comprises a reciprocally movable element, and said interconnecting means comprises a stop member adapted to be inserted in the path of said shutter blade in said second position.

9. In a flash camera, the combination comprising: a shutter mechanism; flash means for said camera including connecting means movable between a normal operative position for illuminating the subject upon making an exposure, and an inoperative position for preventing illumination of the subject upon making an exposure; a stop member movable between a first position in which it is free of said shutter mechanism to achieve a slow expo sure, and a second position in which it restricts said shutter mechanism to achieve a faster exposure; and means for simultaneously moving said stop member between said first and second positions and said connecting means between its operative and inoperative positions respectively.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said connecting means comprises a switch, and said moving means comprises a movable element connected to said switch and carrying said stop member, and a door movable between open and closed positions for controlling movement of said element.

11. In a flash camera, the combination comprising: a shutter mechanism; flash means for said camera including switch means movable between an operative position for illuminating the subject upon making an exposure, and an inoperative position for preventing illumination of the subject upon making an exposure, said flash means further including a flash reflector unit for receiving a flash lamp inserted therein for taking a flash exposure; means interconnecting said flash lamp tosaid shutter mechanism to provide a slower exposure when said flash lamp is inserted in said reflector unit than when it is not inserts therein; and means for moving said switch means into i operative position whereby upon the insertion of set flash lamp in said reflector unit, a slower flash exposu: is achieved upon making an exposure.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein sa; shutter mechanism comprises a pivoted shutter blade, at said interconnecting means comprises a pivotal lever ha ing a stop member adapted to be removed from the pat of said shutter blade upon insertion of said flash lamp 1' said reflector unit.

13. In a flash camera, the combinaton comprising: shutter mechanism; a flash reflector unit for receiving flash lamp inserted therein for taking a flash exposurl and means interconnecting said flash lamp to said shuttc mechanism to provide a slower exposure when said flas lamp is inserted in said reflector unit than when it is 1'1( inserted therein.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein sai shutter mechanism comprises a pivoted shutter blade, an said interconnecting means comprises a pivotal lever has ing a stop member adapted to be removed from the pat of said shutter blade upon insertion of said flash lamp i said reflector unit.

15. In a flash camera, the combination comprising:

(/1) a shutter mechanism including a part which move when the shutter operates to make an exposure an the extent of movement of which part determines th exposure speed of said shutter mechanism;

(B) flash meansfor said camera movable between a operative position for illuminating the subject upo making on exposure, and an inoperative position fo preventing illumination of the subject upon makin an exposure; I

(C) control means movable between two position and engageable with said movable part in at leas one of said positions to limit the extent of movemen of the part and thereby achieve shutter speeds of dij ferent durations in said respective positions; and

(D) means interconnecting said control and flasi means for moving said control means into one 0 said two positions in response to movement of sail flash means from one of its positions to the other.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by the Examiner, are 0: record in the patented file of this patent or the origina patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/59 Wagner 11.f 1/61 Lachaize 9511 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. JOHN M. HORAN, Examiner. 

